By Lauren Flanagan
Family & Living Rooms Exper, about.com
Almost everyone craves extra space. But when that extra space is vertical it can pose some unique decorating challenges.
Having
high ceilings means having a fair amount of unused space over the 8ft
high mark. It can make a room feel grand and luxurious, but it can also
make a room feel cold and empty. In fact, a room with high ceilings can
look quite terrible if not properly addressed. In order to avoid this
you need to blend the upper and lower areas by drawing the eye upwards.
Here are 6 ways to decorate a tall room and make the most of your soaring ceilings.
Hang Artwork High on the Wall
Hang art and other decorative items high up on the wall. This could be by way of a gallery-style wall
that runs the entire height, or you could hang something large high up
the wall. Whatever you hang should obviously tie in with the rest of the
room, but whether it’s one large item or several small ones, a
decorated wall will help draw the eye upwards.
Take Window Treatments to the Ceiling
This is a tough one for some people to wrap their heads around, but no matter how tall the windows are, hang your draperies at ceiling height.
If you bring them any lower you’ll create a
division in the wall and make the upper area feel cold and isolated.
This will require a lot of fabric but it will create a very dramatic
effect and make your room look fantastic. (Tip: use a solid color for
this. A pattern can be overwhelming when used to this scale.)
Use Architectural Details
Many homes with high ceilings already have architectural details
such as exposed beams or beadboard. If yours doesn’t, consider adding
some. Granted, it can be costly, but adding details to the ceiling will
help it feel more connected to the rest of the space. Architectural
details also add depth and character to otherwise plain spaces.
Hang a Statement Light Fixture
A
large statement fixture hanging in a prominent spot is an ideal way to
connect the upper and lower portions of a room. Where you hang it will
depend on the room, but centered in the middle of the room or over the
coffee table is always a good bet. Look for something that is large, but
not necessarily heavy in scale. For instance, a crystal chandelier can
be a striking and elegant option.
Create a Feature Wall
A
feature wall from floor to ceiling can help unite the two parts of the
room. It can be achieved inexpensively with a can of paint, or you can
do something more extensive. If you have a fireplace consider extending
it upwards (ie - with tile or stone). A wood palette wall is another
unique option that will enhance and not overwhelm the space. Wallpaper
can work for this type of feature wall. Just be sure to hire a
professional to hang it as the height can make it too dangerous for a
DIY project.
Use Shelving Creatively
Shelving is a great
way to make use of otherwise empty wall space, and when it comes to tall
rooms there are a lot of options. Tall bookcases can work, but if the
room is particularly tall you may have to think outside the box. Book
lovers may appreciate an entire feature wall made of shelving, but also
consider hanging some floating shelves in different spots on the wall.
Styling them will require a tall ladder but it can definitely be worth
it!
